[HitMcG]

I didn't see part of your question answered above, so I'll cover it. Although Muck boots and Bogs have neoprene uppers, they don't soak through like a wetsuit would. They are truly waterproof...unless you punch a hole in them. I also have good friends who swear by wearing Mucks on the river.

For those of you who have problems with sweaty feet - one of my brothers who has a problem with this swears by spraying his feet with spray-on anti-perspirant before putting on his socks. He says he never has sweaty feet when he does this. I haven't ever needed to use this trick, but it makes sense to me. Hope it helps.

 

[Electric-Mayhem]

I think I was the one who mentioned the swampy stinky feet thing with these. I used to have that be a problem back in the day, but in general its not too bad. Except with these boots.

I used Merino wool socks with these...and I'd maybe get a day or two out of them before some serious stank would come out of it. I also had that "swamp foot" thing going on where you can tell your skin is moisture saturated. I'm sure some was just from getting water in a bit and some with sweat too.

I'll have to try the spray on anti-persperant, but I found that the best thing I had on hand was Super Salve. This product is a Grand Canyon staple on most trips... but if you haven't used it in the past its an all natural salve made with olive oil as a base with a bunch of herbs and extracts. Its great for cracked skin and stuff as a primary use...but it has anti-fungal and first aid use too. Its also pretty strong smelling...so helps combat the stank. I'd get another day out of the socks before needing to wash if I used it.

So...at least for me it was a notable occurance with Muck boots that I hadn't had to deal with since I was a teenager.

I agree...the Neoprene on my boots and everyone else on the trips didn't soak through...its much more waterproof then a wetsuit.

 

[MNichols]

If I have this figured correctly, from my 20# propane tank. I will have two lines going to my partner steel 4 burner stove, one to my woodland blaster, one to my lantern and one to my soon to be purchased boot drier. This is going to be harder to hook up than my VCR was.

I learned something new today. I was sure I owned every rafting convenience item made, Cody comes along and bursts my bubble.

Find a 12 year old to hook it up for you LOL

 

[Will Amette]

Neoprene is 100% waterproof.

If it doesn't have holes, water won't "soak through" the fabric of a neoprene wetsuit. It can seep in through the zipper, and it can seep in from the neck, ankles, and wrists. I have a semi-dry wetsuit, and I'm amazed how dry I am when I take it off, and it doesn't even have a totally waterproof zipper. I still have my first SCUBA drtsyut. It is neoprene. It has attached booties and a neck seal and wrist seals and is just as waterproof as a paddling drysuit. Maybe more. They do make some tropical drysuits out of breathable material, but they aren't tough enough for cold water diving. My second SCUBA drysuit was crushed neoprene. Also totally waterproof, but doesn't suffer from losing insulating value at depth because it's already crushed. My current diving suit is a trilaminate suit with butyl (synthetic rubber) sandwiched between polyester layers, and i'ts awesome. Neoprene, like butyl, is synthetic rubber. Totally waterproof unless punctured.

Muck boots won't "soak through," but if you put your foot too far in the river, just like an open canoe, there's a hole in the top through which water may enter. The one thing I don't like about my Boggs is they have grab handles below the cuff, so they can't go as deep.

You already know that if you do develop a leak, you can fix it with aquaseal.

 

[bighorn1478@msn.com]

Find a 12 year old to hook it up for you LOL

That is what Grandkids are for. Never leave the house without one

 

[paulster]

I was taught a great muck boot trick on my first Alsek trip. At the end of the day, gather up a handful or 2 of walnut-size rocks and put them on the fire grate so they get warm, maybe too warm to comfortably handle but not super hot, then scoop them into the boots and shake them around, making sure to keep them moving so you don't burn the boots. Do that a couple of times until steam stops coming out. Sounds dangerous but I never damaged my boots. You wind up with boots that are bone dry inside and nicely warmed up. I did that every evening and wore the boots from out of sleeping bag to into sleeping bag had no trouble at all with damp feet. It helped that I had 2 sets of removable footbeds that I could remove and dry out by putting them inside my jacket or sleeping bag, wore thick wool socks and got my Bogs a size too big.

 

[Chico]

Anybody have much experience using mucks for river boots? I’m taking a 5 day flatwater trip in February (in no way planning a swim and was debating using my Artic Pros as river wear. I’ve worn these things hunting working and fishing extensively but never for 4-5 days straight when the upper neoprene portion may be getting saturated several times a day from shallow wading getting in and out of boat. My concern is that being it’s a neoprene upper, it will eventually saturate thru to the interior from not getting dried overnight. Anyone have an experience with this???

would not serve a dual purpose they give off very little heat it's hard to tell it's working sometimes.. It is literally just a pilot lite sized flame.. Also sorry for the highjack but do they go hand in hand.

I'm assuming that it would not serve well as a boot dryer and tent heater at the same time 🥶🥶. I have an electric one for my cabin if fact four of them and yes they are sweet. Use mine for snowmobile boots. My apologies for hijacking the muck boot thread a little.

Xtratuffs are great.

 

[Taku]

Muck boots and others are basically boot foot waders without the uppers. Have used them for years duck hunting. As others have said, they can get hold sweat (I have sweaty feet and need to be vigilant with wet and cold). But swapping out socks (sometimes a few times a day if I am being active) helps keep the bootfoots fairly dry. One problem I have with mucks or bogs is that I have oversized calf muscles and getting them to fit over my lower legs is a challenge. Have used Xtratuffs for years and while I can get the top of the boot over my calf, no way can i have a pants leg stuffed in them.

 

[uh eau]

Altho there have been plenty of answers to the OP, I’ll add mine:I have both extratufs (non insulated) and bogs. I bring a pair on every trip, depending on season/water temp.

 

[goldenrafter]

I have considered buying a pair of neoprene-topped knee boots like the muck boots mentioned in this thread. BUT I have been so pleased with my LaCrosse "Grange" boots for many years, and I am hesitant to change. I use them for lots of activities including bringing along as a "camp boot" on rafting trips. They are "ankle-fit" and very rugged. Last forever. The neoprene-top boots would probably store better and that is the primary reason for my interest in a change. I normally fish on my multi-day trips and therefore have waders on during the day but change at camp for comfort and that's when I use knee boots. I have tried smaller length boots but always seem to top them around camp hence the preference for these which are 18" boots. The uninsulated Grange boot is a bit pricey but will outlast many other equivalent boots. And don't think I would want to swim in either of these so don't use during the day on strictly white water trips.

 

[ozzmith]

Xtra-tuff are the superior boots. Concrete work showed me this in a matter of weeks. The mucks were well worn when I started, the bogs were nearly new. Both fell apart and began leaking (concrete water) after a dozen slab jobs. The rest of the crew wore XTs and all were on their first pair except for the boss on his second pair in almost 20 years. 15 slab jobs later the XTs still look new, stay completely dry (foot sweat being acceptable) and are the best thing for cold camps and rigging boats. I don't recommend hiking in them but a hack for concrete guys doing sidewalk (they walk alot) is to put a couple layers of duct tape at the top of the boot so when you feel a hot spot you can use some of that tape like mole skin. Sticks surprisingly well to semi-dry skin. When I switch to booties my XTs pack down better in my drybag squishing almost flat where my bogs/mucks are far too stiff. If weight has any bearing the XTs win there too. Lighter is better on the foot. I will consider the propane boot dryer but I suspect more quality wool socks to be my final solution. Easy to dry (wring thoroughly and hang them on something black) and swap throughout the trip barring the all week rain/snow/hail/tidal wave. I use the DryGuy travel boot dryers available at REI while working my winter gig: I don't find I have any need for insulation with a good sock and dry in the AM boots. I'm working outdoors, stationary, in Idaho and my XTs are just great day in, day out. I might pop for some insulated XTs if Montana is next month's stop but don't need them yet.

edit: I wouldn't risk a swim in any bulky boot so it's booties on the big water days.

 

[peernisse]

Anybody have much experience using mucks for river boots? I’m taking a 5 day flatwater trip in February (in no way planning a swim and was debating using my Artic Pros as river wear. I’ve worn these things hunting working and fishing extensively but never for 4-5 days straight when the upper neoprene portion may be getting saturated several times a day from shallow wading getting in and out of boat. My concern is that being it’s a neoprene upper, it will eventually saturate thru to the interior from not getting dried overnight. Anyone have an experience with this???

neoprene upper or not, these are a great footwear choice for cold weather rafting. I don’t think the uppers would stay wet if you wear them around camp, your body heat would dry them out, even in cold temps. If you have splash pants with a Velcro ankle closure, you could get those around the boot uppers, and if you don’t step in too deep of water, you will have dry warm feet all day! I highly endorse this! I use ExtraTuffs for this, they work great. If you are somewhere where you might swim though, I would go with neoprene or wool socks and sturdy trail shoes, as usual.

 

[MT4Runner]

I got a set of arctic weight neoprene chore boots for Christmas. Too heavy/bulky for camp and rigging use? Was waiting to use or exchange them for moderate weight ones. thoughts?

@Electric-Mayhem said he used his Mucks all trip for a November Grand trip and loved them.

 

[MNichols]

For what it's worth, my experiences with Muck brand boots around the ranch are excellent, learned to always wear a pair of rag wool socks with them though, otherwise, given the way my feet sweat, granted I'm chasing cattle and doing other chores, soak conventional socks, even the acrylic ones. I've tried rubber irrigation boots on the river, they always leave my feet clammy as they don't breathe at all. My solution, 3 winter grand trips now, is

NRS Boundary Boots

Purpose-built for mucky put-ins and soggy portages, the NRS Boundary Boots deliver knee-high protection from the elements with a super grippy, rugged sole to handle the harsh terrain favored by adventure canoeists.

www.nrs.com

Again, wool socks, but you can not only wear them rigging, in camp, and on the water. That being said, I've always been in a dry suit with gore tex booties, but even with an unintentional swim at the base of Hance, they didn't fill up with water and my feet were warm and dry.

 

[goldenrafter]

Xtra-tuff are the superior boots. Concrete work showed me this in a matter of weeks. The mucks were well worn when I started, the bogs were nearly new. Both fell apart and began leaking (concrete water) after a dozen slab jobs. The rest of the crew wore XTs and all were on their first pair except for the boss on his second pair in almost 20 years. 15 slab jobs later the XTs still look new, stay completely dry (foot sweat being acceptable) and are the best thing for cold camps and rigging boats. I don't recommend hiking in them but a hack for concrete guys doing sidewalk (they walk alot) is to put a couple layers of duct tape at the top of the boot so when you feel a hot spot you can use some of that tape like mole skin. Sticks surprisingly well to semi-dry skin. When I switch to booties my XTs pack down better in my drybag squishing almost flat where my bogs/mucks are far too stiff. If weight has any bearing the XTs win there too. Lighter is better on the foot. I will consider the propane boot dryer but I suspect more quality wool socks to be my final solution. Easy to dry (wring thoroughly and hang them on something black) and swap throughout the trip barring the all week rain/snow/hail/tidal wave. I use the DryGuy travel boot dryers available at REI while working my winter gig: I don't find I have any need for insulation with a good sock and dry in the AM boots. I'm working outdoors, stationary, in Idaho and my XTs are just great day in, day out. I might pop for some insulated XTs if Montana is next month's stop but don't need them yet.

edit: I wouldn't risk a swim in any bulky boot so it's booties on the big water days.

Certainly not going to debate this topic with a concrete worker! Looked at their website. Lots of options. What model would you recommend for a recreational outdoorsman/rafter? And like the LaCrosse boot I mentioned, these are on the higher cost end of the spectrum.

 

[Electric-Mayhem]

I got a set of arctic weight neoprene chore boots for Christmas. Too heavy/bulky for camp and rigging use? Was waiting to use or exchange them for moderate weight ones. thoughts?

@Electric-Mayhem said he used his Mucks all trip for a November Grand trip and loved them.

The ones I got are 5mm Neoprene and rubber lowers and are fairly similar to the ones Marshall posted except for the laces. I'd call them medium level insulation. I think they might be a bit much for summer trips but will work well for anything below 70 degree air temps. I typically wore a pair of medium weight wool socks in them. I definitely had some sweaty feet by the end of the day and funk was serious as laid out in a previous post...but still wore them all day most days. I'd rather have some funky sweaty feet then them doing the wet dry cycle in cold water all day.

I wore them over my drysuit on Lava day (early December...maybe 45-55 degree air temp... down mid to high 20's at night) and felt like it was the perfect "goldilocks". Didn't overheat and I was able to walk around in the water. My drysuit is a Hydrus one with the fabric booties/socks, so my feet stayed warm and dry. There definitely was some water in the muck boots at the end of the day...but leaving them upside down in a tree overnight dried them out completely. I got a pair of OR Aerogel Synthetic Down Booties before this trip, and would wear those when the boots needed drying (they work great for late night groover trips too). I've never been a boots kinda guy and usually stick to lighter duty footwear, but these will double duty as my snow boots for now too. They are pretty easy to take on and off, so I dig it.

I may consider getting a pair of light duty ones for summer time...but if the water is a comfortable temp I'm usually barefoot for 90% of trips and don't mind getting my feet wet. My feet get pretty hammered on a summertime Grand Trip trip though...so maybe I should consider trying to keep them dry more often. My feet were defintely the best off they have been on a Grand trip this time and I'm sure most of that was because my feet weren't going through the wet dry cycle 100 times a day because of the muck boots.

Seems like concrete work might be about the harshest thing you could do to a pair of boots with the possible exception of steel foundry work or taking samples in a volcano. I definitely don't think the boots I got would hold up, but I also don't think they were intended to. They work great on the river and have been holding up fine so far. Long term I guess we'll see...but so far so good.

 

[MGRay]

I hate mugs. It's too much dirt for me. I have Xtratuffs and can say they do their job. My child likes to swim in the lake, and I accompany him wearing this boot. I get out of there clean and clear. However, my day-to-day work boots are from Rock Rooster AK-Australian Collection. I never thought I would find a pair of shoes, and I will get sentimentally attached to them in my life. But these are pure gold. They have an absorption system, NANO technology, CoolMax technology, and many more characteristics depending on the type of boot you want.